Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALIOURG’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALIOURG’, particularly characterized by white, small flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, a flat flower shape in lateral view, 10 to 12 leaves, acute leaf apexes, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALIOURG’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALIOURG’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with many attractive, white, small flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALIOURG’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in August 2012 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-3479’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘30896-12’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in June 2015. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2016 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Sep. 19, 2019 (Application no. 2019/2295), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALIOURG’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALIOURG’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALIOURG’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) White, small flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips;     -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is flat;     -   3) Plant has 10 to 12 leaves; and     -   4) Leaf apex is acute.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 45-week-old plants in October 2020. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, and foliage of ‘PHALIOURG’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALIOURG’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALIOURG’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALIOURG’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in October 2020 on flowering plants which were planted in 9-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 18-20 weeks, followed by transplantation to 9-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 25 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 6 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 11 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 42 weeks in 9-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALIOURG’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-3479’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘30896-12’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (something between RHS 190B             and 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots having             yellow-green (something in between RHS 145A and 145B)             colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual             propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 18-20             weeks. After transplantation into 9-cm pots, the plants are             finished after 40 to 42 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 35.0 cm to 40.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 26.0 cm to 28.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 10 to 12 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 13.0 cm             to 15.0 cm. Width: 5.0 cm to 6.0 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: Toward apex. Shape: Obovate. Base             shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Acute unequal. Leaf blade             angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal             position): Between 20 degrees and 40 degrees. Leaf margin:             Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A with a hint of brown             (RHS 200C) at the margin toward the tip. Lower surface: RHS             146B with a hint of brown (RHS 200C). Texture (both upper             and lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 2.1 mm to 2.4 mm.             Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of             the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS             146B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—20 to 30.         -   Length.—35.0 cm to 40.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Mix of yellow-green (RHS 145C) and reddish-brown (RHS             200B).         -   Internode length.—1.0 cm to 2.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 3.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 210.0 mm to             260.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 7 to 8 months             after planting in a 9-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 42.0 mm to 47.0 mm. Diameter: 55.0 mm to             60.0 mm. Depth of lip: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 11 to 13 weeks.         -   Flower shape in lateral view.—Flat.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Small to medium. Length: 15.0 mm             to 17.0 mm. Width: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.             Color: Yellow-green (RHS 145C) with a hint of diluting             purplish-red (RHS N77B).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Obtuse asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length (from             base to tip): 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm. Width: 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm.             Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.             Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White             (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic             color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Very light purple             midvein (RHS 76B). Number of spots and stripes on the petals             (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the             petals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting             of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting             (upper surface): Not applicable.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 28.0 mm to             30.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).             Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS             NN155C). Over color: Very light purple shade (something in             between RHS 76B and 76C). Number of spots and stripes on the             dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and             stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): Not             applicable. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 28.0 mm to             30.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when             fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS             NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color:             White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Very light purple (something             in between RHS 76B and 76C) and light yellow-green             (something in between RHS 145C and 145D). Number of spots             and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): None.             Color of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper             surface): Not applicable. Density of netting of the lateral             sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper             surface): Not applicable.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 4.0             mm to 6 0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C).             Pubescence on the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.             Margin: Undulated (widely wavy). Length: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm.             Width: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) from base toward margin on one             side; purplish-red stripes (RHS 71A) at the base; white (RHS             NN155C) toward the tip. Lower surface: Hint of             greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) from base toward margin on one             side; white (RHS NN155C) toward the tip. Number of spots and             stripes on the lateral lobe: Few stripes at the base. Color             of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS 71A. Density             of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of the netting:             Not applicable.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Ovate. Margin: Entire. Length: 15.0 mm             to 17.0 mm. Width: 12.0 mm to 14.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Reddish-orange margin (RHS 176C) at the base;             greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) at the base and white (RHS             NN155C) toward whiskers. Lower surface: Reddish-orange             margin (RHS 176C) at the base; hint of greenish-yellow (RHS             151B) at the base toward wings and white (RHS NN155C) toward             whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe:             None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: Not             applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe: None.             Color of the netting: None.         -   Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.             Length: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:             Greenish-yellow (RHS 5A); dotted (RHS 176B). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 mm to             5.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm. Color:             Orange (RHS 24A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 1.9 mm to 2.2             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 33.0 mm to 35.0 mm. Diameter: 2.3 mm to             2.5 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Hint of brown (RHS 200C) at             the base; light yellow-green (RHS 145B); very light purple             (something in between RHS 76B and 76C) toward the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

The female parent plant of ‘PHALIOURG’, cultivar ‘01-3479’ (unpatented), is no longer in existence, therefore a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

‘PHALIOURG’ differs from the male parent plant ‘30896-12’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALIOURG’ has obtuse petal apexes and white columns, whereas ‘30896-12’ has emarginated to rounded petal apexes and light yellow-green columns.

‘PHALIOURG’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALDRIDOP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,980) and ‘PHALDUEL’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,256). ‘PHALIOURG’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDRIDOP’ in that ‘PHALIOURG’ has ovate apical lobes, obtuse dorsal sepal apexes, and acute leaf apexes, whereas ‘PHALDRIDOP’ has triangular apical lobes, rounded dorsal sepal apexes, and rounded leaf apexes. Additionally, ‘PHALIOURG’ has narrower leaves and shorter whiskers than ‘PHALDRIDOP’.

‘PHALIOURG’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDUEL’ in that ‘PHALIOURG’ has ovate apical lobes and lateral sepals with no over color, whereas ‘PHALDUEL’ has triangular apical lobes and lateral sepals with over color. Additionally, ‘PHALIOURG’ has shorter whiskers than ‘PHALDUEL’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALIOURG’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 